For Gulf states, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) remains the first, only and last resort for unity, peace and security of our Gulf homeland. We must overcome the difficult circumstances and challenges facing us in order for Gulf unity to become something our part of the world is proud of.
When the GCC was founded in 1981, it aimed to achieve several goals mentioned in its statute.
The GCC statute defined the objectives of the Council as achieving coordination, integration and interdependence among member states in all fields to bring about unity and closer ties between their people.
It also aimed to develop uniform schemes related to trade, customs, transport, education, culture, health, media, tourism, legislation and administration.
In addition, it aimed to introduce advanced technology in industry, mining, agriculture, desalination and animal husbandry and establish scientific research centres and joint ventures and encourage cooperation in the private sector.
Today, due to changes in the regional and international arena, the GCC countries are facing economic, political and security challenges, particularly with regard to what is happening in Yemen and Iraq, the emergence of Islamic State, the change in the regional stance on the situation in Syria and other countries, and the drop in oil prices.
This makes GCC countries seek to safeguard their sovereignty, work to realise their unity and forget their differences. We always want to get united and disregard minor issues and look ahead to a brighter future. The Council’s charter has a long-term perspective of forgetting differences to achieve security and economic and political unity.
The GCC countries need to begin building a strong military force. As one analyst from the Gulf said:
“I think that Iraq today is under Iranian domination. If we wish to talk about security risks then we must take Iran into account. Iran occupies islands belonging to the UAE and, according to Khamenei and Safavi, they don’t interfere in the internal affairs of their neighbours.
“However, the reality is that security threats are not only emanating from European countries or America but also from Iran, which is restless to enter the nuclear club. Therefore, we must take this into consideration and build power, because strength is what limits the force of international law, which is based on power and personal interests. If GCC states want to confront others then they must build strong forces and this was a proposal made by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
“Today we see that power in this world is variable, so we must look at it from this perspective, and saying that we are a million soldiers is absolute and has to be taken that way.
“If these countries want to build their capacities and get stronger they should start the thousand mile journey that begins with one step to eventually build full power, because force is what establishes justice and also brings peace. Without force, Arabs will not stand up unless they unite”.
Finally, the unity of the Gulf homeland begins at home, and this is what happened in this situation, when the disorder was treated with an unprecedented mentality and political statesmanship from GCC leaders.
